*POV* Coral Sparks
My plan didn't work as I had planned it too, I was going to just breaking Jane out of the dungeons that next morning. But when I woke up my husband still hadn't left and when I asked why he decided not to leave he said it's because what he wanted was coming to him.
So for the past 4 days I had been pondering and waiting for the thing he wanted so badly to arrive. I wanted to know what it was. I hated the glee he had on his face every time he mentioned it in a conversation.
Adeline smiled at me from where she sat on the rock in the garden, she held a bouquet of freshly picked lilies from my garden in her dainty hands.
She had to be the favorite of the ladies to paint because she held herself so well and she was just so pretty.
I turned to my canvas and finished the last touches before nodding to her, she gave out a heavy sigh. "My back is killing me." She laughed as she came to stand behind me and look at the painting of her.
"Why does my hair look so much better when it's painted?" She laughed again, her laugh is infectious and light with a jiggly sound to it. "Well that's because you're beautiful." I told her as I smiled over my shoulder at her.
She blushed and moved to me to grab my hand with the motion knocking the wet painting off the stand. "Oh no!" She explained. Rushing to pick it up, it had landed face first in the grass.
It wasn't toldy ruined but now grass stuck to the paint and the flowers were smeared, I sighed. "It's okay, we can do it again." She said, about to walk back over to sit on the rock again.
"No." She turned to look at me. "No. I am tired, maybe another time." I gave a small smile. The painting had taken a lot of time but I wasn't bothered by it, it would just go to sit in the room the king had reserved for them behind a closed door.
The only painting of mine that hung in the light was the one of him on our wedding day. The thought made me want to throw my paint brush.
I got off my stool and took the arm Adeline offered me and we headed around the castle and out of the gardens heading for the main entrance.
The courtyard bustled with movement as servants and others went about their business, a shout made us both turn our heads to watch a group of soldiers come cladding in, making such a racket.
The king emerged from the castle with his guards and went right up to meet the captain high atop his horse. I knew the captain and stepped forward in interest.
"Captain Harding, good to see you back in the capital." The king greeted him. He dismounted and smiled. "I brought you a gift my good friend." he laughed. I watch as a young girl that couldn't have been much younger than me be brought forward.
"Oh my." Adeline breathed beside me. The girl looked disheveled, her shirt was wrinkled and her pants had holes in the knees. Her raven hair was a mess of tangled and she wore a hateful expression. I couldn't miss the silver cuffs that circled her small wrists.
At my approach my husband smiled, coming over to take my hand and lead me forward.
"You remember my wife. don't you, Captain?" He asked, pushing me a step forward.
The captain nodded, bowing curtly to me. "You look even more beautiful than when I last laid eyes on you." I hoped that line wouldn't get him demoted and smiled. "I am so glad to see you again, Captain Harding."
The captain grinned at my words but his eyes seemed stiff and weary. "How about we move inside? I have a lot to tell you." The king offered me an arm as we led the way.
Once we got to the door of the conference room my husband patted my hand. "How about you arrange some refreshments for us? My dear." I wanted to protest because I wanted to see why this girl was so important to him but I nodded and smiled sweetly.
I stepped aside as they entered the room, but as the girl walked past me held between two soldiers, I felt a weird tingling inside my head. The sensation was so sudden I closed my eyes and swayed. "Are you okay my queen?" questioned a soldier as he passed, I quickly waved him off.
"Are you alright?" Adeline came running up. "I saw you swaying." I smiled weakly at her and grabbed her arm. "Would you go ask a maid to bring refreshments?" Adeline gave me one more look before smiling too. "Sure." Then she bustled off down the hall.
I slumped to the floor as a splitting migraine took over my head, I pressed my fingers to my temples willing it to go away but. No relief came through, I stood once more not wanting Adeline or anyone else to see me slumped on the floor in the hallway.
I leaned against the wall trying my best not to cry as I waited for her to return, when she did I quickly grabbed the tray sloshing the contents a bit and moved to push the door open. A guard moved to stop me but I walked past him as the king motioned with his hand that it was okay.
I took the seat beside the girl at the table, taking it slow because of my headache. I didn't want to look sloppy because he wouldn't hesitate to send me away. She sat with her hand in her lap as she glared at the king, her violet eyes bright.
"Here." I said placing the tea cup lightly on the table. "You should drink something." She glanced at me for a moment before turning away. I was sure she must hate me because of who I was married to, the crown on my head as an indicator of my status.
She did not touch the tea and I moved to serve the king and Captain Harding. "Thanks my dear." He said, I moved back over to take a seat beside the raven haired girl, I straightened my velvet green skirts as I listened to the men as they started up their continued conversion.